A patient with full-thickness circumferential burns to the left arm is in need of an escharotomy. The nurse understands that the desired outcome of this procedure is:
Explanation
• Escharotomies are performed when circumferential burns compromise circulation to the extremity.
• An incision is made down the affected extremity to relieve pressure caused by edema. The depth of the incision is limited to the eschar tissue.
• Reduced edema is an outcome of escharotomies, but edema alone does not require an escharotomy.